STARKVILLE -- Jay Hughes waited a year for this.
Hughes, a senior safety from Oak Grove High School near Hattiesburg, sat out most of the 2013 season after rupturing an Achilles' tendon on the sixth play of the season opener against Oklahoma State.

STARKVILLE -- Dak Prescott pointed to the scoreboard high above the north end zone of Davis Wade Stadium and smiled.
There were plenty of reasons to smile in the Mississippi State football team's 49-0 season-opening victory against Southern Mississippi on Saturday in the season opener for both teams before a record-setting crowd of 61,889 at Davis Wade Stadium.

STARKVILLE -- When asked how he and his teammates plan to slow down a Southern Mississippi passing attack that averaged 38 attempts per game in 2013, Mississippi State cornerback Taveze Calhoun's answer had nothing to do with the Bulldogs' defensive backfield.

SUMMIT -- Chad Kelly and the East Mississippi Community College football team received rave reviews for their opening act.
Kelly, a transfer from Clemson University, threw for 350 yards and four touchdowns as top-ranked EMCC opened defense of its National Junior College Athletic Association national championship with a 52-14 victory against Southwest Mississippi C.C. on Thursday night at Hurst Stadium.

STARKVILLE -- Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott made a huge impact during his sophomore season in 2013, scoring 25 touchdowns and accounting for nearly 3,000 total yards while starting just seven games.

STARKVILLE -- Mississippi State wide receiver Jameon Lewis said it best.
One by one on Monday afternoon, MSU players and coaches summed up their feelings on finally being within range of Saturday night's season-opening football game against Southern Mississippi.